Christian university students rally to give the gift of clean water to hurting people

March 12, 2014

by Kirstin Shanks, Ambrose University College student

Ambrose University College student Kirstin Shanks shares about her school’s campaign to raise funds for Samaritan’s Purse BioSand Water Filters in the developing world.

In North America, we have so much access to clean drinking water. It’s everywhere we go! But many of us don’t think twice about consuming it—or even wasting it.

A few years ago, I learned that clean water isn’t something I should take for granted. I had become incredibly sick, and for months, we couldn’t determine the cause of my illness. What made it worse was that I could only drink a very limited amount of water.

During my sickness, I experienced the terrible feeling of dehydration and emptiness while longing for a cool cup of water. And I realized how terrible it must feel for someone who desperately needs clean water to be unable to access it.

Of course, my experience was very different from what people in the developing world endure on a daily basis. Did you know that 1.4 million people die (many of them young children) because of dirty water every year?

Knowing that people’s desperate need for clean water isn’t being met makes me ache to help.

That’s why, when I found out my school (Ambrose University College in Calgary, Alberta) was partnering with Samaritan’s Purse to provide 300 BioSand Water Filters and the gift of clean water to impoverished families, I knew that I needed to help.

And I’m not the only one! God has given the student body at Ambrose a similar passion to make a difference. We have had students come to our team who are already brainstorming fundraising projects they could do—with ideas ranging from car washes to bake sales to bottle drives.

We’ve already raised funds for 14 BioSand Water Filters this year, with each filter costing $150. We have our incredible student body to thank for this accomplishment.

Sometimes our goal seems far from reach, but then God reminds us that when we trust Him and work hard, anything is possible! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us with this project for the rest of the spring. Stay in touch for more updates along the way!